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Everyone should know by now that BMW is replacing their naturally aspirated N52 6 cylinder with the N20 turbocharged and direct injected 4 cylinder. How do these motors compare in the same model? Insideline did that exact comparison with a 2011 N52 powered F10 528i vs. a 2012 N20 F10 528i. Both motors are rated at the same output by BMW but the results below as well as dyno numbers show the N20 is in fact putting out more power.

It isn't just the power and torque making the difference (the N20 has 258 lb-ft vs. 230 lb-ft for the N52) but the N20 is also lighter. The curb weight of the 2011 528i with the 6 cylinder is 3,910 against 3,854 for the turbo 4 cylinder. So more power, torque, and less weight. No surprise then that the N20 528i runs the 1/4 mile 14.6@94.6 versus 15.1@91.6 for the N52. That is 3 mph of trap speed for motors that are supposed to have the same horsepower rating. The N20 sure seems to have a promising future.